Perhaps one of the most overlooked privileges is not wealth itself, but having enough margin in your life to respond to reality. Over the last few years, we have become fluent in the language of privilege, speaking easily about financial privilege, pretty privilege, racial privilege, passport privilege, educational privilege and social privilege, and in doing so we have become increasingly aware that people do not all start from the same place and that some doors open more easily for some than for others. Yet there is one form of privilege that seems to receive far less attention, and that is the privilege of being able to do something with the information you have, not simply knowing, but acting, because the truth is that information alone changes very little. We like to imagine that if people only knew better, they would do better, and entire industries are built around this assumption, from self-help books and documentaries to podcasts, awareness campaigns, public health initiative...
In a country where the economy is as uneven as the Nairobi skyline—shiny towers next to aging flats—finding a personal money philosophy isn’t just helpful, it’s essential. Whether you’re single, dating, or married, how you interact with money shapes everything from your peace of mind to your future options. This article explores how to find your money philosophy through real Kenyan examples, the trade-offs involved, and how this philosophy can (and should) evolve over time. What Is a Money Philosophy—and Why Does It Matter? A money philosophy is your deeply personal belief about the role of money in your life. It answers the question: what is money for, to me? For some, money means safety—never going hungry again. For others, it’s about options, power, peace, or pleasure. Some want status, others want legacy. And many people, unknowingly, live out philosophies shaped by fear, scarcity, or childhood patterns. A money philosophy is not a budget. It’s not a plan. It’s the emotional and ps...